Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics orthodontist AJ Ker understands that managing life with traditional braces can sometimes be frustrating or impossible for many of his patients. Whether they caused pain, awkward social interactions, or even physical insecurity, braces are not particularly known for their confidence-boosting capabilities.
For this reason (and others), many teens and adults have begun to look outside of the confines of traditional braces for orthodontic solutions. At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Invisalign has become a popular alternative for many of our patients.
Our office is equipped with the incredible technology required to provide Invisalign to our patients. The system takes advantage of 3-D technology to craft precise molds of your teeth made into a series of aligners that gradually move your teeth towards a desired position. As the Invisalign aligners are changed throughout the treatment, they steadily make small shifts to one or more teeth at a time, creating steady progress towards a more ideal smile.
Although Invisalign may seem like a practical solution for everyone, this dental solution is “not intended for young children and is not appropriate for every adult,” according to Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics’ previous post on Invisalign. With all of this in mind, how do you know that it’s the right course of action for you?
First, if you are a teen or adult looking to improve orthodontic flaws such as overly crowded teeth, overly spaced teeth, or minor bite complications, you may qualify as a quality candidate for this product. Invisalign also provides a solution for those who have metal allergies or a large amount of porcelain dental work that may be prone to damage from braces or difficulty in getting braces to adhere to.
There are, however, a number of people who would not properly benefit from treatment using Invisalign. For instance, children with many baby teeth should not be recommended to receive Invisalign treatment. Additionally, those with aggressive overbites, underbites, or crossbite will likely be better served with classic metal braces.
It is also important to consider the level to which you feel that you will be able to maintain the willpower involved in keeping up with your Invisalign program. Because it is easy to take the aligners out, it may become easy for some people to forget, or simply avoid spending the recommended 22 hours per day using their aligners. For younger children (or forgetful adults!), it may also become relatively easy to lose track of your aligners, especially after taking them out to enjoy a meal. If you feel as though dumping your aligners in the trash after a meal is a definite possibility or if you feel adhering to a strict aligner wear schedule would be difficult for you, it is possible that Invisalign may not be an ideal solution for you.
In order to determine the best option for your teeth, Dr. Alan J. Ker invites you to call the office to schedule an evaluation with him or Dr. Ari G. Thanasas. It is extremely important to make sure that all client “wants, concerns, and specific needs” are covered and satisfied before making any treatment option. We look forward to seeing you in our office for an evaluation soon!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics has specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital when needed.
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
39400 Garfield Rd., Suite 200
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-286-0700
www.mychildsteeth.com
